by Rupert Brooke (1887 - 1915)
The dead
Language: English
Our translations: ITA
These hearts were woven of human joys and cares, Washed marvelously with sorrow, swift to mirth, The years had given them kindness. Dawn was theirs, And sunset, and the colours of the earth. These had seen movement, and heard music; known Slumber and waking; loved; gone proudly friended; Felt the quick stir of wonder; sat alone; Touched flowers and furs and cheeks. All this is ended. There are waters blown by changing winds to laughter And lit by the rich skies, all day. And after, Frost, with a gesture, stays the waves that dance And wandering loveliness. He leaves a white Unbroken glory, a gathered radiance, A width, a shining peace, under the night.
First published in New Numbers, December 1914
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
Text Authorship:
- by Rupert Brooke (1887 - 1915), "The dead", appears in 1914, no. 4 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Gary Bachlund (b. 1947), "The dead", 2004 [ baritone and piano ], from Songs of War, no. 7 [sung text checked 1 time]
- by Alan Gray (1855 - 1935), "The dead", published <<1967 [ SATB chorus and organ ], from 1914, no. 4 [sung text not yet checked]
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "I morti", copyright © 2007, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2007-05-04
Line count: 14
Word count: 114